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Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum, Key West

4.3
#3 of 27 in Museums in Key West
Lighthouse · Hidden Gem · History Museum
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Visit Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum, with a 20 m (65 ft) lighthouse that opened in 1825. The first keeper, Michael Mabrity, died in 1832, and his widow, Barbara, took over for the next 32 years. It was quite unusual to have a female keeper at the time. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1969. Today you can explore the quarters and see the keeper's tools and personal effects, including those of Barbara Mabrity. Climb the 88 steps of the spiral staircase to the deck for a glimpse of the Fresnel lights and a view over the sea. Tours are self-guided, but a staff member is on site to answer your questions. Use our Key West trip itinerary app to visit Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum on your trip to Key West, and learn what else travelers and our writers recommend seeing nearby.
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Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
2,095 reviews
Google
4.5
TripAdvisor
  • A nicely key spot that allows some time away from the busier areas. Here is someone there that will give a quick education of the lighthouse and some facts on Key West. It’s a well spent hour or so... 
    A nicely key spot that allows some time away from the busier areas. Here is someone there that will give a quick education of the lighthouse and some facts on Key West. It’s a well spent hour or so...  more »
  • The Key West Lighthouse has an awesome view from the top. There are many steps in a spiral staircase to get to the top, but everyone was going at a relaxed rate, so it was not too hard. The view... 
    The Key West Lighthouse has an awesome view from the top. There are many steps in a spiral staircase to get to the top, but everyone was going at a relaxed rate, so it was not too hard. The view...  more »
Google
  • This was something when walking past, I knew I had to see what they had to offer. It was a little museum, but some cool things. The history of the museum was a cool reading. But when you walk up the lighthouse stairs, the view is worth the 88 stair climb. On a perfect day, you can see the whole island and 7-8 miles of water (13.2 miles at the horizon).
  • A very interesting stop that’s certainly worth the stop. Nicely maintained Keepers House where the museum is located. Found the rooms highlighting Florida Coastal Lighthouses, especially the information on General Meade’s contributions to be very interesting. The economic history of Key West was also extremely well presented. The climb to the top of the lighthouse (88 steps) is not recommended for some. We encountered a couple of people who turned around and came back down after only a little bit of climbing. The spiral staircase is very tight. Two landings along the climb allow for passage, but they are the only places people can pass. Observe the ‘one way’ traffic up on the viewing walkway at the top - room is tight up there also. The views are worth the climb.

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